“Doomsday” is unabashed homage to 70s apocalyptic flicks

In the first documentary extra for “Doomsday,” director Neil Marshall states his intention to make an apocalyptic film in the mold of “Escape from New York” or the “Mad Max” films. And if you know and like those films, you should have some fun with “Doomsday,” picking out all of the borrowed elements.

As the film opens, the ominous narration (by Malcolm McDowell) informs us that a deadly virus has struck Scotland, killing millions. The decision was made to seal off the top half of the British Isles, building a wall around it and letting the virus kill off anyone stuck behind the wall. A young mother manages to convince an Army helicopter to save her daughter, Eden Sinclair, who has lost her eye to a soldier’s machine gun.

Fast forward to 2035, where Sinclair (Rhona Mitra) is a police officer with very deadly skills. Her missing eye has been replaced with a detachable camera/recorder, which is very handy for looking around corners and recording crime scenes.

When the Reaper virus shows up in London, she is sent back into Scotland to look for a cure, along with a doctor (McDowell) who may have survived the plague. Of course, the survivors have reverted to the feral mode, along with engaging in cannibalism. Lots of fun.

The “Unrated” version offers the viewer the choice between the rated and unrated versions. There’s also a commentary by director Marshall and four cast members. Three documentaries round out the extras: a look at the apocalyptic future, visual effects and a look at the vehicles.

Like I said, there’s a lot of borrowed elements. The most obvious elements are taken from “Escape from New York” and “The Road Warrior.” The first 30 minutes almost feel like a “New York” remake. The wall around Scotland, the sentries along the walls, Sinclair’s eye patch, the music, even the font used in the opening titles and credits all take their lead from “New York.” Two characters are named “Carpenter” and “Miller;” obvious references to “New York” director John Carpenter and “Mad Max” series director George Miller.

The “Marauders” of Glasgow could have walked off the set of either “New York” or “Road Warrior.” And the car chases are straight out of the final sequence of “Warrior.” I’m sure that I missed plenty, but I also saw homage to “Aliens,” “28 Days Later,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “I Am Legend,” “Robin Hood,” “The Princess Bride,” “Shrek,” and even the “Harry Potter” films.

In the documentaries, Marshall talks about “making a $30 million movie look like a $100 million movie.” Since they only made $20 million at the box office, according to Box Office Mojo, I’m sure they’re hoping to make back that extra $10 and then some on home video.

For me, newcomer Mitra is a bit wooden as the “Ripley” figure, and McDowell seems to be reprising his “Soran” character from “Star Trek: Generations,” with a little “King Lear” added in. Bob Hoskins does play a grizzled police chief who isn’t afraid to call the shots as they are, with locker-room language to match. And “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” actor Alexander Siddig has a nice short bit as the British Prime Minister. Interesting fact from IMDB: Sidding is McDowell’s nephew. Didn’t know that.

Bottom line: What some people call homage, other people call “ripping off.” Basically, if you like movies of this genre, you’ll probably like this one. And that’s a qualified “probably.” If you’re not sure, rent it first.